Tag Archives: drug

General Safety Issues, Health Issues

PRIVATE SCREENING TESTS FOR YOUR FAMILY’S HEALTH (GUEST POST)

Whether you are too embarrassed to ask your primary care physician to run a test for something specific such as a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or you simply do not have time during office hours to fit in an appointment, you can now find out if you have a long list of different health issues by ordering the screening tests privately at home. If a lab visit is required, the tests will be performed by a qualified healthcare facility that is not affiliated with your doctor’s office, and they can even keep the results out of your medical records.

Which Screening Tests Should My Family Get?

Regardless of whether you use a private service or go directly to your doctor for assistance, you should definitely focus on getting health screenings on a regular basis. For example, if you have your heart and cholesterol checked at least once a year, you can avoid dealing with the serious ramifications of a related health issue that spirals out of control.

It is also a good idea to utilize disease detection testing to ensure that you have not developed a serious health condition such as cancer. Keep in mind that most debilitating diseases do not present noticeable symptoms until after damage has already been done to your body. By signing up for regular disease detection screenings, you will have an important medical head start if you develop an issue.

The Importance of STD Screenings

Anyone who has ever been sexually active without using protection is at risk for contracting an STD and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has indicated that STDs are a rampant problem in the U.S. that is currently very under-diagnosed. Unfortunately, a large percentage of individuals who have a STD are not even aware of their condition because many of these diseases do not cause symptoms, especially in the early stages. Therefore, if you do not get tested, it is definitely possible that you could be unwittingly passing on an STD to anyone who you have sex with.

Thankfully, you can now get a screening for STDs confidentially without having to deal with the embarrassment that is associated with asking your regular physician to run these important tests. Most people agree that STD testing should be private.  However, if you choose to go to a local doctor or clinic they are required to put your test results on your permanent medical record. Luckily, there are labs like those at www.healthtestingcenters.com that do not have to do this and will send you the results directly.  

Other Screenings

Men understandably detest going through the process of a prostate exam, but now they have the option to order a screening test online and go directly through the lab. Other options include allergy screenings, fertility tests and even drug screenings for teenagers and at-risk family members. Although you cannot get a screening at home for every possible medical condition, the technology is continuously expanding to include additional tests.

With the combination of discreet home screenings and your primary care physician, there is no reason to neglect your health. After all, an early diagnosis is the best way to prevent a minor condition from turning into something that will threaten your life. By taking advantage of the available confidential screening tests, you can have peace of mind and the privacy that most people desire.

Researcher Shelby Warden posts this article for those who like the idea of easy and confidential health screening.  

General Safety Issues

IT’S DRUG-FREE WORK WEEK!

This information comes to us straight from the U.S. Department of Labor, and is meant to highlight the benefits that drug-free workplace programs bring to workers, employers, and communities.  This is the time to work toward making every week a drug-free work week.   In the past, we have discussed the effects that workers who abuse drugs or alcohol in the workplace have on their co-workers, and the company that is paying them to work.  By having the workplace drug-free, productivity can be improved and reduce costs.  It will certainly help prevent accidents and make our workplace safer. 

Recent research reveals that many workers need to hear this message again and again.  Seventy-five per cent of the nation’s current illegal drug users are employed—and 3.1 per cent say they have actually used illegal drugs before or during work hours.  Seventy-nine per cent of the nation’s heavy alcohol users are employed—and 7.1 per cent say they have actually consumed alcohol during the workday.  How would you feel if a nurse or physician taking care of you were included in these statistics?  Heavy equipment operators, those who are responsible for the safety of others, such as driving buses, trains, or even airline pilots – we don’t want to dare think that they might be part of these statistics.  Smart business strategies are used by employers who establish drug-free workplace programs to assist their employees from the potentially devastating consequences of worker alcohol and drug abuse.  This week is a good time to reinforce the importance of working drug free in positive, proactive ways. 

Listed are some of the ideas to help companies and communities promote the success of a drug-free workplace program:

  • Implement a Drug-Free Workplace Program.  If your group does not already have one, this is the time to start one.  The first step to implement this is through a written policy.
  • Promote  Drug-Free Work Week.  Be sure all employees have a copy of your policy and remind them that it is all about keeping them safe of the job.
  • Train supervisors.  Company supervisors should be trained to understand their policy on alcohol and drug use; ways to deal with workers who have performance problems related to substance abuse, and how to refer them to available assistance.
  • Remind employees of the availability of EAP or MAP services.  These are Employee or Member Assistance Programs that offer free, confidential services to help all employees resolve personal and workplace problems, such as substance abuse.  If warranted, they also offer confidential substance abuse screenings as well as brief interventions.
  • Educate workers.  Workers must be educated about the nature of alcohol and drug use and its negative impact on workplace safety and productivity. 
  • Offer health screening.  Organizations can use this week to encourage employees to assess their own use of alcohol and drugs and privately determine if they need help to change their behavior.
  • Create a Drug-Free Workplace Display.  This is a good opportunity to freshen up bulletin boards in break areas that employees frequent by posting positive messages aboaut the importance of being drug-free to their safety and that of their coworkers.
  • Allow employees time to volunteer in community drug prevention efforts.  This give employees the chance to show both their own and company commitment to substance abuse prevention both inside and outside the workplace.
  • Review your health insurance policy.  Employees that are struggling with alcohol or drug problems will seek help if this type of treatment is covered.  If it is not, consider discussing the prospect of adding coverage with your insurance carrier.
  • Issue a Drug-Free Work Week press release.  Companies should issue a public announcement to their local media to spread this important message.
  • Distribute a payroll message listing helplines or a reminder about Drug-Free Work Week for employees.  A paycheck is always something that employees pay attention to.  You could include a reminder listing sources of help for ones with any problems, and that each employee is appreciated for working drug-free.

Thanks for the Department of Labor for this information.  It’s sad to say, but almost everyone of us knows someone who has a drug or alcohol problem.  Abusing prescriptions drugs is also not acceptable behavior in the workplace.   Try to spread the message to your friends, coworkers, and community.  If you work with someone that you feels needs help, encourage him/her to seek it.  It’s not only for their good, but the safety and wellness of everyone who works, rides to work, or lives with them.  If you witness a coworker committing an unsafe act, let his supervisor know, for the safety of all.  Stay sober and stay safe.

General Safety Issues

PRESCRIPTION DRUG OVERDOSE PREVENTION

It’s a sad fact that almost twenty per cent of Americans have used prescription drugs (mostly pain killers) for non-medicinal reasons.  Some prescription painkillers have now surpassed heroin and cocaine as the leading cause of fatal overdoses.  According to a report by the Baltimore Sun, “drug use accounts for billions of dollars per year in health care costs.  Drug overdoses rank second only to motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of accidental death.”  Adverse drug reactions from legally prescribed drugs cause about 106,000 deaths per year.

Hospitals have reported that poisonings by prescription sedatives and tranquilizers jumped 65% from 1999 to 2006.  One-third of addicts questioned report that their first drug experience was from prescription drugs.  Mixing multiple drugs is a serious health risk.  Ask your physician if you question the interactions between medicines you are taking.  Patients should read the label and information provided with a new prescription drug.  Your pharmacist can also advise you on drug interactions, if you take more than one.

We’re certainly not telling you to not take medications that were prescribed for you by your physician; however, you should report to your doctor any side effects you may have from a new medicine.  The main thing to keep in mind is to keep your prescription medications in a safe place.  If you have small children, of course, you will.  But if there are teens in your house, you should also take precautions.  If you are taking a pain killer, your teen may think it’s o.k. to experiment with it.  Many times they prefer to use a prescription drug recreationally, thinking it is safer than street drugs.  Don’t let your medicine cabinet become a “free” pharmacy!

June is National Safety Month.  This first weekly theme is “Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention.”  It is hoped that you will consider how serious this matter is.  Senior citizens may be confused about their medications and need help monitoring them.  We should be vigilant about prescription drugs in our homes and keep them in a place where they aren’t accessible to others.  The abuse of prescription drugs is as serious as abusing street drugs or alcohol.  That abuse can lead to serious illness, or death.

General Safety Issues, Uncategorized

DO YOUR PART TO KEEP YOUR WORKPLACE FREE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

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The welfare of everyone at a worksite is threatened when a worker is impaired by abusing drugs or alcohol.  You can play an important part to ensure safety in the workplace by:

  • Knowing the drug-free policies of your workplace.
  • Setting a good example for others.
  • Telling management if you suspect use or impairment from drugs or alcohol that threatens safety and health of coworkers.
  • Seeking help if you or your co-worker(s) are impaired.
  • If you or a co-worker(s) are dealing with these problems, confidential help may be available, often at no cost to employees, through the company’s benefits program.
  • There are many outside services that can help.

These statistics are from a Department of Labor report. See if you recognize any of the signs:

  • One in five workers report that they have had to work harder, redo work or cover for a co-worker or have been put in danger or injured as a result a fellow employee’s drinking.
  • Up to 40 % of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol consumption and alcoholism.
  • Alcohol and drug abuse has been estimated to cost American businesses roughly 81 billion dollars in lost productivity in just one year—37 billion due to premature death and 44 billion due to illness. Of these combined costs, 86 % are attributed to drinking.
  • Alcoholism is estimated to cause 500 million lost workdays annually.
  • Individuals who are current illicit drug users are more than twice as likely (9.3 %)than those who are not (4.3 %) to have changed employers three or more times the past year. Similarly, individuals who are current heavy alcohol users are more likely (8 %) than those who are not (4.4%) to have changed employers three or more times in the past year.
  • Individuals who are current illicit drug users are also more likely (12.9%)than those who are not (5 %)to have skipped one or more workdays in the past month. Individuals who are current heavy alcohol users are also more likely (11.3%)than those who are not (5.1 %)to have skipped one or more workdays in the past month.
  • Of callers to the National Cocaine Hotline, 75% admit to having used drugs on the job, 64% report that drugs have adversely affected their job performance; 44% say they have sold drugs to fellow employees, and 18% say they have stolen from coworkers to support their drug habit.

If any of this is familiar to you:

  • Do Not Delay or Ignore!  Tell your supervisor immediately.
  • Act to prevent worker from committing unsafe practices.
  • Be willing to risk being wrong. It is better to be safe than sorry when the well-being of all is on the line.

Call: Substance Abuse Treatment Locator, 1-800-662 HELP, or www.findtreatment.samhsa.gov
Drug Free Workplace Alliance\dol.gov